As a kid, Toni Jackson sketched an evening-gown collection for a school art project. As a grown-up, she worked two jobs to attend Los Angeles' Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and began a made-to-order costume business in Hollywood.

Fixing fashion: Jackson suggests accessible, diverse fashion for all. "The fashion industry is still pushing the same cookie-cutter, size-2 model down our throats as the only standard of beauty."

Runway, her way: Jackson created a reversible trench coat, orange Chinese silk brocade on one side, gold and purple faux fur on the other. "I would cringe when sewing every seam, but it was what the client wanted."

Fashion passion: In subtle ways, "fashion can change lives," she says. "I'm happy to see women cry when they see themselves transformed by fabric and thread."

Three years ago, while operating a health care business, Reyes took a leap of faith and returned to her passion for designing clothes. "Mentally, I have been designing for over 30 years," the International Academy of Design and Technology graduate says. In 2009, she added an associate's degree in fashion design to her bachelor's in physical therapy and two master's degrees in health care and business administration.

She has since presented a collection at Korea's Fashion Week and last month created a gothic mash-up look for Austin's Fashion Week.

Designing duo Petrecia Falcon and Monique Galus create under their Salutations label. Last year, both earned fashion-design degrees from the University of the Incarnate Word.

Falcon, 51, comes from a family "with a strong history of sewing, tailoring and upholstery skills." She hopes to earn a master's degree and teach art, history and fashion one day.

Galus, 28, who works at a credit union, has been designing for the past five years, her designs inspired by music and history.

Show inspiration: The duo will send out a military collection of softly tailored wool jackets and separates adorned with gold and silver buttons, chains and metallic detailing. Falcon, a former electronic instrument technician at Kelly Air Force Base, says the theme was "an itch that needed to be scratch."

Fixing fashion: Falcon "wears what I want whether it is in fashion or not. I don't follow trends." Galus says fashion "puts pressure on consumers and self-image." She encourages women to "feel good" about their fashion choices.

Malissa Long, 37, is a "mostly self-taught" designer who has participated in several Austin and Houston fashion weeks.

A fashion plate since age 5, she says, "I can't imagine not designing - it's in my blood. I'm constantly evolving and revamping my approach. I haven't found the perfect path, but it gets clearer with each new garment."

Her line, MLW Malissa Long Wear, is often inspired by "mixing natural and manmade elements."

Show inspiration: "Some embellishing techniques I've been making and wanted to make more wearable," she says. Look for shorts and trousers and garments with sleeves. "With this collection I made sleeves a must."

Runway, her way: "I made a bustier out of rawhide dog chews for a $25 grocery-store challenge."

Fixing fashion: "We live in a throwaway society where fashion is cheap and disposable. I want to create well-fitted pieces that become the staple in your closet that you can wear over several seasons and not feel bad about spending a little more."

Fashion passion: "It's my escape and my connection to the world. Without it, I wouldn't be whole."